The Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) has launched an investigation after 12 greyhounds were found by Revenue officers at Dublin Port.
The dogs were found in stacked cages in a cramped vehicle with no food or water over the weekend.
They were in a Spanish-registered vehicle and it is believed they would have been travelling for 24 hours to reach their destination.
The DSPCA examined the animals and found that they were all showing signs of dehydration, with several having minor injuries and high temperatures.
They also found paperwork for the animals which showed that the dogs the Irish Greyhound Stud Book and originate from dog trainers in Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Wexford.
The records also show that 9 of the 12 dogs have raced in the last month, 1 raced last in 2016 and 2 have no race records.
The IGB said it "condemns any mistreatment of greyhounds in the highest possible terms".
In a statement they added: "Any person or persons found to have been in breach of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 have been and will continue to be subject to prosecution."
The dogs are now under the care of the DSPCA who said they are "appalled by the barbaric treatment of these animals".
DSPCA CEO Brian Gillen said: "This seizure flies in the face of the illusion being created by IGB that animal welfare is being taken seriously.
"The continuing grant of €16.8 million of taxpayers money is no longer acceptable.
"The DSPCA are calling on Minister Creed to withdraw all funding allocation to the greyhound industry in Budget 2020.”
